ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the effect of key design parameters including laminate lay-up, stud geometry and advance coefficient on the structural response of a large composite marine propeller. The twist of the blade sections for a given propeller loading condition, hence the rate of change of pitch, is shown to be related to the mechanical properties of the laminate and the stud geometry. The mechanical properties of the laminates are computed on the basis of the classical laminate plate theory. The effect of the stud geometry on the blade deflection under applied external loads is investigated by considering three studs with different geometries. Symmetric laminates do not possess coupling between in-plane and flexural behaviour and their use is common practice in many applications. Composite blades can be keyed and fastened to the hub through a metal stud. Bending and twisting of the blade change with relation to the laminate lay-up, propeller loading condition and stud geometry.
